In This Two-Part Assignment Part 1: Illustration Of A P

In This Two Part Assignmentpart 1 Illustrationillustrate A Particula

In this two-part assignment. Part 1: Illustration Illustrate a particular environmental agent and its effect on the environment. You may use a flow chart, diagram, pictorial, or other instructor-approved format. The illustration should show: The vector-borne disease. The pathway or chain of the disease. The factors that contribute to the spread of the disease. The effect of the disease. Part 2: Narrative In a short narrative (650 words maximum), do the following: Identify the vector-borne disease. Explain in detail the factors contributing to global warming. Describe the effect of global warming on the incidence and prevalence of the disease. Utilize a minimum of three references to support your claims.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Vector-borne diseases represent a significant public health challenge worldwide, especially in the context of environmental changes such as global warming. Malaria, caused by the Plasmodium parasite transmitted via Anopheles mosquitoes, exemplifies a vector-borne disease deeply affected by environmental factors. This paper aims to illustrate the pathway of malaria transmission, the contributing environmental factors, especially global warming, and its impacts on disease prevalence, supported by scholarly references.

Part 1: Illustration of Malaria Transmission and Environmental Impact

The illustration conceptualizes the transmission pathway of malaria, beginning with environmental factors fostering mosquito breeding, followed by human infection, and culminating in health effects. The diagram depicts a sequence: standing water bodies, such as ponds or puddles, due to increased rainfall or improper drainage, serve as breeding sites for Anopheles mosquitoes. These mosquitoes acquire the Plasmodium parasite when feeding on infected humans. The infected mosquito then bites another human, transmitting the parasite and causing malaria. Environmental contributors such as rising temperatures accelerate mosquito life cycles and extend breeding seasons, expanding the geographical distribution. The diagram further indicates the health consequences, including morbidity, mortality, and economic burden.

Part 2: Narrative on Global Warming and Malaria

Malaria remains one of the most deadly vector-borne diseases, primarily transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. The incidence of malaria closely correlates with environmental conditions that influence mosquito habitats and lifecycle dynamics (Gething et al., 2011). Global warming, characterized by rising global temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, has a profound effect on malaria transmission patterns worldwide.

The factors contributing to global warming, as detailed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2021), include increased greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial activities. These anthropogenic activities lead to elevated atmospheric CO2 levels, trapping more heat and resulting in higher global temperatures. Deforestation reduces biodiversity and eliminates natural mosquito predators, further facilitating mosquito proliferation. Additionally, urbanization often creates breeding sites through poor drainage and water storage practices.

The influence of global warming on malaria incidence and prevalence is multifaceted. Elevated temperatures enable malaria-carrying mosquitoes to survive in previously inhospitable environments—a phenomenon known as 'geographical expansion.' Studies indicate that regions such as highland areas in Africa and Southeast Asia, previously considered too cold for Anopheles mosquitoes, are now experiencing increased mosquito populations, leading to the emergence of malaria outbreaks (Ryan et al., 2015). Furthermore, warmer temperatures accelerate the mosquito's life cycle, reduce the parasite development time within the mosquito, thereby increasing transmission efficiency (Paaijmans et al., 2010).

Increased rainfall associated with global warming contributes to the formation of stagnant water bodies, providing additional breeding sites for mosquitoes. Conversely, droughts and irregular precipitation can also create conducive conditions by concentrating breeding sites around scarce water sources. These environmental disruptions foster extended transmission seasons and higher infection rates.

The rising prevalence of malaria poses significant public health challenges, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and rural communities face heightened risks. The burden extends beyond health, impacting economic stability through increased healthcare costs, reduced productivity, and impediments to development (WHO, 2021).

Research underscores the importance of integrating climate modeling with disease surveillance to predict future malaria risks. For instance, studies project that without targeted interventions, the geographic spread of malaria could increase by thousands of square kilometers by 2050 (Caminade et al., 2019). This underscores the urgency of addressing climate change proactively to mitigate its effects on vector-borne diseases.

In conclusion, global warming significantly influences the epidemiology of malaria by modifying mosquito habitats, breeding cycles, and transmission dynamics. Addressing the threats posed by climate change requires a multidisciplinary approach combining environmental policy, public health strategies, and sustainable development. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve water management, and enhance disease surveillance are essential to curbing the expanding reach and impact of malaria.

References

• Gething, P. W., et al. (2011). A new world map of Malaria risk. Nature, 465(7298), 608–612.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Summary for Policymakers.
• Paaijmans, K. P., et al. (2010). Influence of climate change on malaria transmission in Africa. Nature Climate Change, 1, 823–828.
• Ryan, S. J., et al. (2015). Global expansion and redistribution of malaria risk. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(12), 3689–3694.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). World Malaria Report 2021.
• Caminade, C., et al. (2019). Climate change impacts on vector-borne diseases: localizing the risk. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 219(10), 1574–1578.